Improved gold-washer



H. M. RITTERBAN D.

Ore Washer.

Patented Nov. 1, 1853.

N. PETERS. Phnlo-Lllhngmpher, Washiuglcn. n. c.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

HENRY M. RITTERBAND, OF NEW YORK, N. Y.

iivlPRovEo GOL==WASHER.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. L190, dated November 1,1853.

To aZZ whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, HENRY M. RITTERBAND, of the city, county, and Stateof New York, have invented a new and useful Apparatus for SeparatingGold from Ore and Sand by \Vash ing; and I do hereby declare that thefollowing is a full, clear, and exact description of the constructionand operation of the same, refer ence being bad to the annexed drawings,forming part of this specification, in which-- Figure l is a top view ofthe apparatus. Fig. 2 is avertical section on line 00 a: of Fig. 1.

' Similar letters of reference in the two figu res denote the same partof the apparatus.

The object of my invention is, by the agency of water, to obtain a forcewhich, being just sufficient to overcome the gravity of the earthymatters mixed with the gold, is utterly ineffectual to overcome thesuperior gravity of the gold. To produce this force Iemploy no othermechanical agent than the pressure of the water, which,when falling downfrom a relativelymeasured height in one branch of a vessel of the shapeof an inverted siphon, acquires exactly such a degree of velocity as issufficient to overcome not only all kinds of earth and sand, but eventhe gravity of the largest stones, so as to carry them upward and out ofthe shorter branch, the force being at the same time utterly powerlessto move and lift up the smallest tangible particle of gold.

To effect the above-described results I employ a vessel, B, somewhatinthe form of an inverted siphon, the proportion between the height ofthe branches being as three to one, the longer branch, 0, being at a,opposite the mouth of the branch D, one half ofthe upper diameter at b,and sloping gradually between those points. In the top of the branch 0is the valvef, and in the mouth of the branch D, which is open, in thelip m. In practice the diameter of the valve f should be threeeighthsthat of the top, (I, of the branch 0.

This apparatus is intended to facilitate the operations of singleindividuals, and with cer' tain modifications, which will be hereinafterdescribed, is intended for permanent establishments of companies whocarry on mining operations on a large scale. The following descriptionshows the method of using the portable apparatus where water is procuredwith difficulty and must consequently be sparingly used. I place the oreor auriferous earth in the short branch D and submerge the wholeapparatus in a cask of water with the Valve f open. When the vessel isfilled with water, I close the valve f and raise the apparatus from thecask by the handles H, the pressure of the atmosphere on the opensurface of the water in the branch D preventing the issue of water fromthe apparatus. I then raise the valve f,

when the sudden fall of water in the long arm,

rushing out of the branch D, carries with it all the earth and stonesand leaves all the particles of gold on the bottom of the vessel. Thecurrent in passing out of the branch D strikes the lip m and isdeflected in an oblique direction, thus causing, by the impinging of thegold particles which might be carriednp by the current, the certainty oftheir falling into the bottom of the vessel.

To adapt the apparatus to operate on a large scale where water can beabundantly procured, I make both branches open and of equal length, onebranch being bell mouthed or funnelshaped, the water being conducted toa reservoir by such a flow as will maintain it at a constant level, thewater being conducted to the washing-vessel bya siphon communicatiugbetween the vessel and reservoir, the distance of the surface of thewater in the res ervoir from the bottom of the vessel being to theheight of the branch as three to one, thus maintaining the same ratiobetween the falling column of water and the issuing branch as in thecase before described, and rendering this modification essentially thesame apparatus.

The ore or auriferous earth is supplied continuously to the funnelbranch of the vessel, while the flow of water from the reservoir with aconstant force removes the earth and stones, as before described, andleaves the par ticles of gold in the bottom of the vessel.

WVhat I claim as my invention, and desire to secure by Letters Patent,is-

The combination of the tube B, valve f, and lip m, constructed andhaving the relative proportions, substantially as described, forming anapparatus for removing earth and stones from auriferous earth, as hereinspecified.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto signed my name before twosubscribing witnesses.

H. M. RITTERBAND. Witnesses:

GEo. PATTEN, F. OBER.

